Fire on 14th Street intentionally set; other blaze under investigation

Wednesday

Jun 18, 2014 at 5:03 PMJun 18, 2014 at 5:28 PM

By Jim.Hayden@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4274

Police continue to investigate the cause of a house fire on 11th Street on Monday morning while declaring another fire that same night on 14th Street was intentionally set.The fire at the home at 336 W. 14th St. was set on purpose, officials announced Wednesday morning. Firefighters were called about 11:10 p.m. Sunday and the home’s living room was fully engulfed in flames. Damage was estimated at about $65,000.The home was unfurnished and unoccupied. The gas and electric utilities were shut off as the landlord renovated the home.More details were not released.“It’s early in the investigation,” said Capt. Chris Tinney, of Holland Department of Public Safety Fire Services.The case is now in the hands of the police.Holland Department of Public Safety officials and investigators want to speak to anyone who may have information about this fire. Persons with information or tips should contact the Police Services Division at (616) 355-1150 or the Arson Tip Line at (800) 44-ARSON.Those providing information to the Arson Tip Line may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 if an arrest or/and conviction results.Tips and information may also be provided to Silent Observer at (877) 88-SILENT. Online tips may be submitted at mosotips.com.In 2013, there were five arsons reported in the city, according to the Holland Department of Public Safety 2013 annual report. In 2012, there were seven.The investigation into a second fire at 143 W. 11th St. that was called in about 90 minutes later is ongoing and the cause remains undetermined. That fire began on the porch and made the home a total loss.The fires are not linked, according to police.— Follow Jim Hayden on Twitter@SentinelJim.